India Showcases Forest Conservation Milestones at UNFF20 in New York

New York: India presented a strong case for sustainable forest management and ecological restoration at the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20), held from May 5 to 9 at the United Nations Headquarters. Led by Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Indian delegation highlighted the country’s progress and global initiatives in line with the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.

India reaffirmed its Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) and shared data reflecting a consistent rise in green cover. According to the latest India State of Forest Report, forest and tree cover now span 25.17% of the nation’s land area. This growth is attributed to a series of key national efforts, including:

• Restoration of land under the Aravalli Green Wall Project
• A 7.86% increase in mangrove cover over the past decade
• Afforestation of over 1.55 lakh hectares under the Green India Mission
• Plantation of 1.4 billion seedlings under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Plant4Mother) campaign

A pivotal moment in India’s address was its call to all UN Member States to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)—a global platform launched by India to foster cooperation in the conservation of the world’s seven big cat species. The alliance aims to promote joint research, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building.

India also urged international action on the Country-Led Initiative (CLI) it hosted in Dehradun in October 2023, focusing on forest fire management and forest certification systems. India acknowledged similar CLI efforts by the Republic of Congo, DPR Korea, and Austria, and emphasized the need to embed these recommendations into formal UN mechanisms to address critical forestry challenges.

On the sidelines of the main session, India hosted a side event titled “Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India’s Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience.” The event highlighted India’s integrated forest restoration strategies, driven by policy innovation, convergence of resources, community participation, and advanced monitoring tools.

In a high-level panel discussion on “Valuing Forest Ecosystems in National Policy and Strategy,” India presented insights from pilot ecosystem valuation studies in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and various tiger reserves. Using methodologies like the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), the studies assessed key services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and water resources. While noting challenges in quantifying non-market values, India stressed the urgency of integrating these valuations into national development planning.